Saturday morning seen 30 of our young players attend the Club Eirne Blitz at Lissan which involved a Meet & Greet with the Fermanagh Senior Football Team. A good day was had by all. Saturday morning coaching returns for all Primary School this Saturday from 11am to 11.45am.

The Club has funded a new coaching initiative in the Primary School for Key Stage 2 pupils, it commenced last week.

Our Under 12s began their season with a 6-13 to 5-2 win in Coa on Thursday last. They play Ederney tomorrow in Belcoo, throw in 7pm. Players to be at the pitch for 6.30pm. They then play Newtownbutler on Saturday at 11am.

Our Under 16 Girls made it three wins from three after a fabulous tussle in Ederney last week, Belcoo winners 7-13 to 4-12. They play Irvinestown, tonight, Monday at 7.30pm, players to be at the pitch for 6.50pm. Training will continue Wednesday from 7pm to 8.15pm.

Our Under 15 Boys lost to Lisnaskea last Friday 5-9 to 4-5. They host Aughadrumsee on Thursday at 7.30pm. Players to be at the pitch for 6.50pm.

Congratulations to Lawrence McKeown who came off the bench in the Fermanagh Minors Championship win over Antrim at the weekend. Only a second victory in 15 years for the County Minors, they meet Cavan in fortnights time.

ADULT

Our Mens team recorded a 1-11 to 1-10 win in Aughadrumsee last Wednesday, they travel to Belnaleck this Friday for a 7.30pm throw in.

Our Ladies team travel to Lisnaskea for the 9-a-side League on Saturday evening, throw in 7pm.

The Reserves host Derrylin this evening, Wednesday, throw in 7.30pm. They then host Brookeboro on Saturday at 6.30pm.

OTHER

As a club, we recognise Health & Well-being as being an integral part of gaelic games and as such we as the Healthy Club Committee have decided to provide a health information evening for our playing members including senior, junior, minor, ladies and underage secondary school children from under 14 up. The talks delivered will be age-specific. This evening is integral to your commitment and training with the club and your attendance is expected.

The event will take place in the LCC centre on Thursday 3rd May 2018 at 7pm. You will benefit from hearing from health care professionals on a range of health related topics with a particular reference to sport. Those attending will be entered into a draw for a variety of prizes on the night. If you have any queries, please contact Damien McHugh on 07866837474 or email chair.hwc.fermanagh@gaa.ie.

Club O’Raghallaigh subscriptions are still being taken, see club website for more details.

There was no winner of the Club Lotto Jackpot on Monday 23rd April. Letters drawn were G, L, O, R, Z. Lucky Dips went to Jim Leonard, Lily McNulty, Kevin McGourty & Brian Cox. Next weeks Jackpot is for £3,550.

Congratulations to Senior player Jonathan Feeley who married Stephanie Gilroy at the weekend. May they have a long and happy life together.

Lisnaskea were easy winners this evening, 19points up with 5minutes to play, the job well and truly done, the foot released from the pedal as they allowed Belcoo to hit 3-3 in the closing moments, the final scoreline flattering the O’Rahilly’s big time as the game was won with considerable ease.

Such victories occur when hard work in produced. Tonight, Belcoo made little to no effort, lacked interest, hunger and any drive as the home team simply tore them apart during the second half in particular.

Justy McDade makes his way through the Belcoo defence

18seconds was all it took for Belcoo to cough up a goal as they gifted the ball to Justy McDade who drove in from the 45metre line, offloaded to Oggie Kelly and he dispatched to the net. Belcoo’s reply was, on reflection, their best bit of play of the entire contest, Jamie Ray’s kickout was marked by Oisin O’Loughlin in midfield, his pass to Michael Burns seen him clip the ball into Patrick Martin who banged over a fine point. It would be 25minutes before Belcoo scored again.

Truth be told, Lisnaskea didn’t fire in the first half, they would be wayward in front of goal however Belcoo did their best to gift them further scores. Fist passes straight to the opposition seen Matthew Melarkey point before the visitors were awarded a first penalty of the evening, Justy McDade was fouled before he got to his feet and stroked the penalty to the net.

Oggie Kelly and Conor Northern pointed for a 2-3 to 0-1 scoreline by the 20th minute. It could have been worse as the hosts continued to apply pressure, Belcoo hadn’t turned a kickout in a long time but the Linaskea forwards continued to misfired.

Colum Higgins under pressure during this evenings encounter

With 4minutes to go to half time, Belcoo eventually yielded a scoring attack. Dara Flanagan driving upfield, Josh Killilea and Colum Higgins were involved before Patrick Martin’s floated ball to the back post was gathered and netted by Emmett McGuinness. Moments later Josh Killilea threaded a fantastic pass through to Michael Burns for a point and at half time it was miraculously just a four point game, 2-3 to 1-2.

The late rally in the first half proved a false down as no score was registered by Belcoo for another 25minutes. By this time a rampant Lisnaskea side had added 3-5 to their tally to sit 5-8 to 1-2 ahead. Justy McDade had netted a second penalty while he added a well taken goal from play as did Oggie Kelly. It could have been more but for Sean Boylan and Dara Flanagan stopping two goals on the line.

Gerry Nolan being pressured by Cian Hanna

Belcoo indiscipline was another negative on a bad night for the sky blues. They would take the bad look of the scoreboard however in the dying minutes. Patrick Martin, Dara Flanagan and Michael Burns all scoring goals with Martin and Flanagan knocking points while Oisin O’Loughlin slotted over a long range free.

Next game is home to Aughadrumsee on Thursday 3rd March at 7pm in Belcoo. Players to be at the pitch for 6.30pm.

The under 12’s were playing away yesterday evening in a tough encounter with Coa which saw them get their first win of the season. Most of the opening minutes were played in Coa’s half of the pitch with the visitors dominating the early exchanges. Unfortunately their efforts failed to put any points on the scoreboard until Rhys Ray opened the scoring with a point in the seventh minute, this was followed quickly by a second ‘hail mary’ from Eve Barrett; while Emilie McCallion pitched in with some good foraging for loose ball in the forward line.

Coa showed their character and responded well, registering two points and a goal for their efforts. Goalkeeper Kayce Sweeney blocked several efforts at goal during this period. Belcoo however were now settling more into the game and managed to work the ball up the field; the industrious Matthew Whitmore tracking back well to defend as Lisa Lavery and Ciara Parker gained lots of possession and swept the ball forward towards the opposition’s goals.

Belcoo registered a third point with a well taken free from Patrick Magee. Michael Burns, who was busy and covering lots of ground followed with two more scores; before Eve Barrett found the back of the net on the stroke of half-time, leaving it 1-5 to 1-2 to Belcoo.

The second half began with another point from Michael Burns. Coa won the kickout and found a gap in the Belcoo defence to register a second goal. Aaron Ashley who was introduced as full forward won several entertaining battles with his opposite number and displayed some very accurate shooting to gain another point for Belcoo.

The visitors continued to dominate with a point coming from Michael Burns and two from Patrick Magee who was positioning himself very well on the right wing for Scarlett O’Connor to pass to. Three goals in quick succession from the polished boots of Aaron Ashley, Michael Burns and Riona Keaney stretched the young O’ Rahillys lead. Meanwhile the blues defence were holding tight with Jack O’Connor, Caireann McGrath and Serena McKeown working hard and holding their positions well.

Patrick Magee made an excellent block and another Coa goal attempt was denied by Kayce Sweeney, before they did manage to slip one into the net. Belcoo replied with another two points by Michael Burns followed by an excellent move by Aaron Ashley; who fed Riona Keaney to score her second goal of the evening.

Nathan McGovern, who did an excellent job of covering throughout the game scored the next point for the O’Rahilly’s. Finn Maes made a great block before Coa gained another point but it was Belcoo who had the last say with Aaron Ashley setting Michael Burns up for the finish.

Next game is this coming Tuesday, 1st May at 7pm in Belcoo against Ederney. Players to be at the pitch for 6.30pm.

Belcoo U16 Girls emerged victorious after an epic encounter in Ederney that seen the two sides who hadn't lost this season, battle it out over an excellent hour in which both sides led several times before being pegged back. The O’Rahilly’s came from six down in the second half with a strong surge to win on a 7-13 to 4-12 scoreline.

Ciana McGrath who had an excellent hour holds firm under pressure

It truly was a fabulous game of football from two skilled sides, played at high tempo, every single ball was fiercely contested in this full-blooded encounter. The tone set from the opening minutes when Ederney broke through for a penalty. The drama commenced, Katie Teague rattled the underside of the bar with the kick, Mikayla Maguire gathered the ball and Belcoo broke the length of the field. Sam Martin and Niamh McAloon worked the ball upfield to Ciana McGrath who thumped in a great goal. Ederney’s Aine Walsh responded with two points before Belcoo netted a second goal.

Sinead Barrett robbed an Ederney defender, fisted to the supported Scarlett O’Connor who picked a lovely pass to Cara Gray and she drilled low past the keeper. Ederney responded with this first goal, breaking through an open defence to net. It was end to end and it was only getting started.

Belcoo squandered two goal chances as the ball slipped away from Cara Gray both times when well placed while Scarlett O’Connor rattled the crossbar with a fine strike.

Rhianne McGuinness & Cara Gray stop an Ederney attacker

A third goal did arrive for Belcoo though. Rhianne McGuinness, who was first to every ball down her side at wing back, beat her player to the ball, drove forward, picked a great pass to Cara Gray and with Sinead Barrett sprinting past off the shoulder, Gray slipped her in and Barrett hit the net. Ederney would land a point, just 9minutes in the clock and it was 3-0 to 1-3, Belcoo holding the upper hand.

The O’Rahilly’s continued to win the midfield battle with Sam Martin and Niamh McAloon claiming kickouts, Niamh Cullen got her hands on a break to win a free and Belcoo worked a fine team move, some six players involved before Aine Barrett tapped over from the left wing. Sinead Barrett followed up with a point moments later.

It all changed, Ederney who had the wind advantage beginning to find holes in the visiting defence. 1-4 was registered in a five minute spell to see them open up a two point lead at 2-7 to 3-2. It may have been worse but for two great last ditch tackles by Eimear Magee to thwart efforts at goal.

Belcoo got themselves together, Ciana McGrath who covered every blade of grass in tonight’s game, striding forward after a good interchange with Sam Martin and Sinead Barrett to point. Rhianne McGuinness and Aoife Keaney combined on the right to pick out Scarlett O’Connor for a well taken point while McGrath slotted another but two goals and a point at the end the half gave the home a six point cushion at the break. Half Time: Ederney 4-8 v 3-5 Belcoo.

Sam Martin powers upfield in the second half

The second half was equally as mad, 16 more scores were added to the 20 in the first half hour. Ederney were first to register as they extended to a seven point lead. Ciana McGrath matched this score when Scarlett O’Connor did fierce well to retain the ball under pressure before recycling it.

Belcoo re-gigged the side with three positional switches. Aoife Keaney moved to centre forward and immediately gained possession out on the right side and drove in from 40yards past three tackles to hit the roof of the net. Aine Barrett went to centre back and she picked up a mountain of ball around the middle sector, reading the play seriously well while Cara Gray went to wing back to curtail a lively forward for the duration of the contest.

Keaney’s goal sparked Belcoo best spell, Sam Martin, Niamh McAloon, Rhianne McGuinness and Aine Barrett gained kickouts and played the ball to the fleet footed inside pair of Scarlett O’Connor and half time sub Eve Barrett who helped create the scores with Ciana McGrath, Aoife Keaney and Sinead Barrett to the fore as Belcoo drove at the home side.

Two Sinead Barrett came from some excellent team play as the right option was taken at the right time, Ciana McGrath netted a goal from close range after Aoife Keaney powered down the right side again before Keaney accounted for a point herself. Scoreline with 8minutes to play read Belcoo 5-9 Ederney 4-10, just two between them.

Belcoo continued on the front foot, a great solo run by wee Eve Barrett seen her fire narrowly wide but in the next attack, Ciana McGrath powered through after a long run and rattled the post with her shot for goal, the ball broke to Eve Barrett who netted this time. Sinead Barrett hit a fine pointed free from outside the D and Belcoo now sat six up.

Ederney weren’t finished and they rallied, three points registered to half the deficit. Some good pressure from Cara Gray and Ciara Nolan stopped other dangerous attacks.

Belcoo needed to get up the field and Aoife Keaney claimed a kickout from Mikayla Maguire, turned and feed Eve Barrett. She raced away from her player, fisted across to an unmarked Scarlett O’Connor and over the bar the ball went.

Eve Barrett kicked one of her own from distance soon after while a surging run from midfield by Sam Martin seen he set up Sinead Barrett for a point as Belcoo finished the game in fine fashion.

The icing on the cake, a goal in added time by the hardworking Scarlett O’Connor to give her side a 7-13 to 4-12. Up next is training Wednesday night with Irvinestown coming to Belcoo on Monday night.

Belcoo Ladies made it two from two with a 9-8 to 2-4 victory in Maguiresbridge amid monsoon conditions at times. The game was blown up a bit early due to injury to a home player, we wish her a speedy recovery. The O’Rahilly’s had began slowly but by the interval they had powered away from the hosts playing some great football as they took a firm grip of the contest.

Collette Rice plays a forward pass in this evenings victory

The visitors had the ball in the net within 60seconds as good interplay between Crona Higgins and Donna Feeley created an opening for Linda McGovern who thumped in an excellent goal. McGovern was to slot over a point following a good interception in defence by Rachel O’Dolan but the tide turned as the home team got up the field and registered two goals and a point for 2-1 to 1-1 with just 7minutes on the clock.

Belcoo began to find their rhythm after the concession of these quick scores. Michelle Cullen fielding a great high ball from a Courtney Ray kickout. The ball was worked to Seana Feeley who carried it 30yards before slipping in sister Donna for a neat point.

A good turnover by Seana Feeley paved the way for Linda McGovern to hit her second goal and give her side the lead at 2-2 to 2-1. From this juncture, the O’Rahilly’s began to dominate all areas of the field.

Seana Feeley in full flight with Michelle Cullen supporting

Donna Feeley claimed the next kickout, feed Collette Rice who advance towards goal and found the top right corner. Donna Feeley and Linda McGovern added points with Rice netting another well taken goal after a quickly taken free from McGovern. 4-4 to 2-1 by the midway stage in the half.

Belcoo were well on top but in sporadic Maguiresbridge attacks, Leona McNulty and Rachel O’Dolan came out with possession, using it well to set up the next attack. Aoife Keaney at wing back went on a long run to slot over a point while great work by Michelle Cullen created a goal for Collette Rice. Rice was to hit her fourth, again a sublime finish on 21minutes after the two Feeley’s and Emma McNulty had kept the ball well in the lead up to the three pointer.

Crona Higgins moves out of the defence with possession

Donna Feeley fired in a quick 1-1, the point coming following strong defensive play by Leona McNulty before Cullen carried downfield and through a number of tackles. Linda McGovern finished another goal but over the closing few moments of the first half Aoife Keaney was sin-bined. Maguiresbridge added a point and had a few more chances for scores. Courtney Ray denied a goal with McNulty and O’Dolan standing firm. Half time. 8-6 to 2-2 in Belcoo’s favour.

The second period was cut short due to a serious injury to a Maguiresbridge player. Before the accidental collision Seana Feeley had registered a goal after a long run while Linda McGovern slotted over a free with Donna Feeley also pointing.

The sun shone for the under 12s first outing of the season when they travelled to Kinawley on Saturday to play the group stage of the league in a blitz. A young and inexperienced side found themselves punching above their weight as they played four games facing opposition from stronger Kinawley, Derrylin, Bellanaleck and Enniskillen sides.

U12 Squad at the Blitz in Kinawley

Despite this there was hard work all round from the young O’Rahilly’s who showed steady improvement with each game. There were some fine individual performances with scores produced by Michael Burns, Rhys Ray, Matthew Whitmore, Nathan McGovern and Lisa Lavery while Ciara Parker , Jack O’Connor and Caireann McGrath saw plenty of ball linking passages of play.

Eyes on the prize as Cairenn McGrath looks to make a tackle

Emilie McCallion, Lily-Mae McNulty and Megan Maguire were lively in attack along with Daithi McAloon and Conor Whitmore in support. Finn Maes made an excellent debut as a midfielder and Serena McKeown, Shay Killilea and Kayce Sweeney got stuck in and applied pressure in defence with the ever reliable Aodhan Cullen in goals. Overall they played with great spirit which was encouraging…. Just need to keep up the skills practice boys and girls!